Cover for an electrical connector



y 1965 c. .1. WOCHNER ET AL 3,

COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 8, 1962 m 3 RMM m w M m PmVJ M T Fa N 1 T 4 PLEA A 2 L T N MH %3 Cw 3 1 Y 7 B (I! Q I L )2 W 3 l 2United States Patent 3,183,302 COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CharlesJ. Wochner, Florissaut, and John A. Toedtrnan, Warson Woods, Mo.,assignors to Jasper Blackburn Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporationof Missouri Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,746 2 Claims. (Cl. 174-138)This invention relates generally to improvements in a cover for anelectrical connector, and more particularly to improvements in a deviceof this type which provide optimum protection from the weather, affordmaximum insulation for the electrical connection, and which provide asecure, snug fit for connectors of diiferent lengths.

In forming an electrical connection, it is well known and conventionalto insert a pair of stripped wires into opposite ends of a connectorbody and then to crimp the body on the wires by the use of a compressiontool. The present cover is adapted to fit over the connector and aportion of the attached Wires so as to protect and insulate theconnector and thereby provide a safe, rigid connection.

An important object is achieved by the provision of abutments Within anelongate tubular casing constituting the cover, the abutments beingadapted to engage the ends of a connector to preclude any substantialrelative longitudinal movement within the casing.

Another important objective is realized by providing a plurality ofabutments so that the distances differ between an abutment at one end ofthe compartment into which the connector fits and more than one of theabutments at the opposite end of the compartment so as to accommodateconnectors of diiferent lengths.

When the connector is crimped, it is difiicult to control precisely theextent of end-wise extrusion or expansion of the connector so that theconnector will always be of a definite length when installed inside ofthe cover. Therefore, any variation in length is compensated for by theplurality of abutments arranged in the manner previously described sothat one of the abutments engages each end of the connector to precludeany substantial relative end-wise movement.

Still another important objective is provided by making the abutmentsresilient so that those which are overlapped by and not engaging theends of the connector are depressed, the overlapped resilient abutmentstending to hold the connector snugly in such casing.

Yet another important object is afforded by the provision of a pair oflongitudinally partitions in the casing which define a compartment forreceiving the connector, these partitions can abut the connector endsand thereby determine the maximum length accommodated in thecompartment.

Other important advantages are realized in that the partitions arespaced inwardly from the end walls of the casing in order to give moreadequate protection to the wire portions immediately adjacent theconnector ends, the partitions and end walls being provided withopenings through which the wires pass.

Another important objective is achieved by disposing the resilientabutments within the compartment so that at least one abutment isadapted to engage each end of the connector when the connector is not ofsufficient length to engage the partitions. This structural arrangementinsures a condition in which there will be no substantial relativeend-wise movement between the connector and cover.

An important object is realized by constructing the tubular casing ofmating elongate sections hinged together along one side so that thesections can be opened to receive the connector and subsequently closedto retain the cover in place. Locking means is provided at the otherside of the sections which is operable to hold the cover selectively inthe closed position on the connector.

Another important object is achieved by the provision of resilientstrips in the end Walls of the casing which extend outwardly from theopenings provided therein, the strips engaging and resilientlyaccommodating wires of different sizes extending through such openingsto provide improved insulative end supports.

It is an important objective to provide an electrical connector coverthat is simple and durable in construction, economically to manufactureand assemble highly efiicient in usage and function, and which can bequickly and easily applied by anyone with only a minimum of instruction.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the inventionwill more clearly appear from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cover used in an electrical connection;

FIG. 2 is an end view, partly in cross section, as seen along line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cover alone as seenalong line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cover showing the elongate matingsections in an open position, and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the insertionof the connector and its attached wires within the cover.

Referring now, by characters of reference to the drawing, and first toFIG. 5, it is seen that the electrical connection includes a pair ofwires 16 and 11 that are operatively connected together. As isconventional, the ends of the wires 10 and 11 are stripped of insulationand are inserted into opposite ends of an elongate connector 12 that ismade of an electrically conductive metal. Before final attachment, theconnector 12 is of a cylindrical construction and of a substantiallyconstant diameter. After the wires 10 and 11 are placed in position, asuitable compression tool is fitted over the connector 12 andmanipulated to crimp the connector body securely to the wire portionslocated internally of the body. During this crimping operation, a seriesof longitudinally spaced annular grooves are provided in the peripheryof the connector 12. The wires 10 and 11 are now rigidly connectedtogether in an extremely durable union.

The electrical connection includes a cover made of an electricallyinsulative material fitted over the connector 12 to insulate and toprovide adequate weather protection.

The cover consists of an elongate tubular casing generally indicated at13 in FIG. 1, the casing 13 including outwardly tapered endwalls 14 and15. As is best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tubular casing 13 includes apair of elongate, mating half sections hinged together along one side byintegral webs 20 that enable the sections 16 and 17 to be moved hingedlyopen to the position shown in FIG. 4 and subsequently moved to a closedposition as shown in FIG. 1.

The opposite side of the cover 13 is provided with a locking mechanismfor selectively holding the sections 16 and 17 in the closed position.More particularly, the locking mechanism includes a plurality of loops21, a total of three in the preferred embodiment disclosed, along theopposite side of one section 17. Formed on the opposite side of theco-acting section 16 are a plurality of integral hooks 22 that areadapted to inter-fit the loops 21 when the sections 16 and 17 are movedto a closed position. The hooks 22 snap under the loops 21, as is bestseen in FIG. 3. It will be realized that the loops 21 are sufiicientlyresilient in character so that the associated eyes can expand in size topermit the passage of the hooks 22. Of course, if desired, the hooks 22can be conveniently disengaged from the loops 21 to permit the sections16 and 17 to be opened.

Each of the sections 16 and 17 is provided with a pair of partitions 23and 24- spaced longitudinally to provide a compartment therebetweenadapted to receive the connector 12. For reasons which will appearlater, the partitions 23 and 24 are spaced inwardly of the ends walls 11 and 15 respectively. The corresponding partitions 23 and 24 of thesections 16 and 17 are in direct trans verse alignment so that suchpartitions form a pair of longitudinally spaced walls when the sectionsare closed. The end walls 14 and 15 are each provided with a centralopening 25, while the partitions 23 and 24 are each provided withlongitudinally aligned central opening 26, such openings 25 and 26 beingbest illustrated in FIG. 3. When the connector 12 is placed in thecompartment between the partitions 23 and 24, and the sections 16 and 17are closed, it is seen that the wires 10 and 11 extend through thecenter openings 25 and 26 formed respectively in the end walls andpartitions.

The partitions 23 and 24 can engage the ends of the connector 12 andthereby define the maximum length of the connector with which the covercan be utilized. It will be readily apparent that if the connectorlength is sufliciently shorter than the distance between the partitions23 and 24 there couldbe a loose fit that would subject the connector 12to relatively longitudinal movement Within the casing 13, such movementbeing objectionable if it exists to any substantial degree.

To preclude relative longitudinal shifting of the condoctor 12 when thelength of the connector 12 is something less than the distance betweenthe partitions, a

plurality of tabs constituting abutments Sil, 31, 32 and 33 are formedintegrally with each of sections 16 and 17 and are located within thecompartment. Specifically, tabs 30 and 31 are located at one end of thecompartment while tabs 32 and 33 are located at the opposite end. Forreasons which will appear upon later description of the component parts,the tabs 311-33 inclusive are resilient and extend into the compartmenton opposite sides of and substantially parallel to a plane passed alongthe longitudinal axis of each section.

From FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the distances differ between morethan one of the tabs at one end of the compartment and more than one ofthe tabs at the opposite end of the compartment so as to accommodateconnectors of different lengths. For example, the distance between tab311 and tab 32 is different from the distance between tab 311 and tab33. Similarly, the distance between tab 31 and tab 32. is different thanthe distance between tab 31 and tab 33. Thus it will be realized thatany pair of co-acting tabs such as tab 311 and tab 32 or 3'3, is adaptedto engage the opposed ends of the connector 12, de ending upon thelength of the particular connector 2 utilized.

The tabs 311453 inclusive cooperate to preclude any substantial relativelongitudinal movement of the connector 12 in the casing 13. Of course,the tabs 311-33 can also cooperate with the partitions 23 and 24,depending upon the connector length involved, to preclude longitudinalshifting of the connector 12 in a manner similar to that previouslydescribed.

Attention is directed to FIG. 5 in which it will be seen that the tab 31engages one end of connector 12 while cooperating tab 33 engages theopposite connector end.

The tabs 311413 inclusive are resilient and can be depressed against thearcuate wall defining the casing 33. If it is assumed that the length ofthe connector 12 is slightly longer than that illustrated in FIG. 5, itis possible for the lefthand end of the connector to engage the tab 36rather than the tab 31. In this event, the connector 12 will overlap thetab 31. When the sections 16 and 17 are closed, the connector ends willdepress the tabs 31.

1 Depending upon the connector length, it is seen that the tabsoverlapped by and not engaging the ends of the connector 12 areresiliently depressed so that such overlapped tabs tend to hold theconnector snugly in the casing 13.

Each of the end walls 14 and 15 is provided with a plurality ofresilient strips 34 extending outwardly from the openings 25 provided inthe end walls. The strips 34 engage the periphery of the associatedwires 10 and 11, and because of the resilient character of such strips34-, the strips 34 accommodate wires of different sizes extendingthrough the openings 25 to provide support.

' Because the end walls 14 and 15 are outwardlytapered, there is atendency of such walls and their integral resilient strips 34 to directmoisture away from tie interior of the casing 13. Moreover, it will benoted that the partitions 23 and 24 and the tabs 30-33 inclusivecooperate to confine the connector '12 within a definite compartmentwithin the casing 13 and spaced a substantial distance from the endwalls 14 and 15. With this structural arrangement, the end walls 14 and15 engage the insulation on the wires 10 and 11 and fully protect thestripped portions of such wires as well as the connector 12.

It is thought that the assembly and functional advantages of the coverhave become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description ofparts, but for completeness of disclosure the installation of the coverwill be briefly described at this point. It will be assumed that thewires 11 and '11 have been stripped, inserted into the ends of theconnector 12 and that the connector 12. has been crimped by a suitablecompression tool to form a rigid connection.

The casing 13 is opened as is illustrated in FIG. 5 and the connector 12is placed Within the compartment defined by the partitions 2/3 and 24.

Depending upon the particular length of the connector 12 used, thepartitions 23 and 24 or the tabs SW33 inclusive or any combinationthereof will engage the opposite ends of the connector 12. The wires 10and 11 will extend through the partitions 23 and 24 and through the endwalls 14 and 15.

The casing sections 16 and 17 are closed over the connector 12 aspermitted by the hinged webs 20. As the overlapped by the connector 12are depressed and act resiliently to hold the connector 12'snugly inplace. Cooperating with the depressed tabs, those tabs, partitions orcombination thereof that engage the ends of the connector 12. precludeany substantial relative longitudinal movement of the connector 12 inthe casing 13. It is seen that a fully protected, rigid and stableelectrical connection is realized.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

We claim as our invention:

1. A cover for an electrical connector comprising:

(a) an elongate tubular casing made of'insulating material,the casinghaving end walls,

(12) a pair of integral partitions extending into the casing inlongitudinally spaced relation to provide a compartment therebetween,and

(c) a plurality of abutments integral with the casing and extending intothe casing compartment, at least one abutment being located at one endof the compartment, and more than one abutment being located at theother end of the compartment,

((1) the longitudinal distances between each abutment at the said oneend of the compartment and each abutment at the said other end of thecompartment being different for accommodating connectors of differentlengths adapted to be located therebetween and engaged endwise thereby.

2. A cover for an electrical connector comprising:

(a) an elongate tubular casing made of insulating material, the casinghaving end walls,

(b) a pair of integral partitions extending into the casing inlongitudinally spaced relation to provide a compartment therebetween,

'(c) a plurality of resilient tabs integral with the casing andextending into each end of the casing compartment,

(d) the longitudinal distances between each tab at one end of thecompartment and each tab at the other end of the compartment beingdifferent for accommodating connectors of different lengths adapted tobe located therebetween and engaged endwise thereby, and

(e) the resilient tabs spaced inwardly of the tabs at the ends of thecompartment adapted to engage any one and hold the connector snugly inthe casing compartment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCESJasper Blackburn Corp. Advertisement Service Entrance Sleeve, ElectricalWorld, vol. 156, No. 22, Nov. 27, 1961, p. 60.

E. JAMES 'SAX, Primary Examiner.

of the dilferent connectors 'being adapted to engage 20 JOHN P. WILDMAN,Examiner.

1. A COVER FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATETUBULAR CASING MADE OF INSULATING MATERIAL, THE CASING HAVING END WALLS,(B) A PAIR OF INTEGRAL PARTITIONS EXTENDING INTO THE CASING INLONGITUDINALLY SPACED RELATION TO PROVIDE A COMPARTMENT THEREBETWEEN,AND (C) A PLURALITY OF ABUTMENTS INTEGRAL WITH THE CASING AND EXTENDINGINTO THE CASING COMPARTMENT, AT LEAST ONE ABUTMENT BEING LOCATED AT ONEEND OF THE COMPARTMENT, AND MORE THAN ONE ABUTMENT BEING LOCATED AT THEOTHER END OF THE COMPARTMENT, (D) THE LONGITUDINAL DISTANCES BETWEENEACH ABUTMENT AT THE SAID ONE END OF THE COMPARTMENT AND EACH ABUTMENTAT THE SAID OTHER END OFG THE COMPARTMENT BEING DIFFERENT FORACCOMMODATING CONNECTORS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS ADAPTED TO BE LOCATEDTHEREBETWEEN AND ENGAGED ENDWISE THEREBY.